Method for accessing a service unavailable through a network cell

Abstract

In an access device associated with a first network cell, a method for enabling user equipment (UE) to obtain a service unavailable through the first network cell includes receiving a request for the UE to access the service, and identifying, in a message to the UE, a plurality of second network cells providing the service.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An access device associated with a first network cell for enabling user equipment (UE) to obtain a service unavailable through the first network cell, comprising:
 one or more processors configured to:
 receive a request for the UE to access the service; and 
 identify, in a message to the UE, a plurality of second network cells providing the service and system information of the plurality of second network cells. 
 
 
     
     
       2. The access device of  claim 1 , wherein the service is voice. 
     
     
       3. The access device of  claim 1 , wherein the service is circuit-switched voice. 
     
     
       4. The access device of  claim 1 , wherein the first network cell does not provide the service. 
     
     
       5. The access device of  claim 1 , wherein the first network cell provides the service using a protocol incompatible with the UE's capability. 
     
     
       6. The access device of  claim 1 , wherein the request is received from the UE. 
     
     
       7. The access device of  claim 1 , wherein the request is a response to a paging message. 
     
     
       8. The access device of  claim 1 , wherein the message directs the UE to connect to one of the plurality of second network cells. 
     
     
       9. The access device of  claim 1 , wherein the message directs the UE to switch from a first radio access network associated with the first network cell to a second radio access network. 
     
     
       10. The access device of  claim 1 , wherein the message directs the UE to release a connection with the access device. 
     
     
       11. The access device of  claim 1 , wherein the message identifies location areas of the plurality of second network cells. 
     
     
       12. The access device of  claim 1 , wherein the first network cell and the plurality of second network cells employ different radio access technologies (RAT). 
     
     
       13. An evolved Node B (eNB) associated with a first network cell in an evolved universal terrestrial radio access network (E-UTRAN) for enabling user equipment (UE) to obtain a service not available through the first network cell, the eNB comprising:
 one or more processors configured to:
 connect with the UE; 
 receive a request for the UE to access the service; and 
 identify, in a message to the UE, a plurality of second network cells providing the service and system information of the plurality of second network cells. 
 
 
     
     
       14. The eNB of  claim 13 , wherein the service is voice. 
     
     
       15. The eNB of  claim 13 , wherein the service is circuit-switched voice. 
     
     
       16. The eNB of  claim 13 , wherein the first network cell does not provide the service. 
     
     
       17. The eNB of  claim 13 , wherein the first network cell provides the service using a protocol incompatible with the UE's capability. 
     
     
       18. The eNB of  claim 13 , wherein the request is received from a user of the UE. 
     
     
       19. The eNB of  claim 13 , wherein the request is a response to a paging message. 
     
     
       20. The eNB of  claim 13 , wherein the plurality of second network cells are in one of a universal terrestrial radio access network (UTRAN), a global system for mobile communications (GSM) network, an evolution-data optimized (EV-DO) network, a 3GSM network, a digital enhanced cordless (DECT) network, a digital AMPS (IS-136/TDMA) network, an integrated digital enhanced network (iDEN), a universal mobile telecommunications system (UMTS), an enhanced data rates for GSM evolution (EDGE) network, a general packet radio service (GPRS) network, and a GPRS/EDGE radio access network (GERAN). 
     
     
       21. The eNB of  claim 20 , wherein the message is a mobility from E-UTRA command (“MobilityFromEUTRACommand”). 
     
     
       22. The eNB of  claim 13 , wherein the message directs the UE to release a connection with the eNB. 
     
     
       23. The eNB of  claim 22 , wherein the message identifies the carrier frequencies of the access devices associated with the plurality of second network cells. 
     
     
       24. The eNB of  claim 13 , wherein the message identifies location areas of the plurality of second network cells.